Experiences and interactions with Kevatch (Mucuna Pruriens) collectors and growers of Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Kevatch is known for its itch causing hairs present on pods. In forests of Chhattisgarh, Kevatch is collected and supplied to different parts of country and also world since decades. In Nagri-Sihava region of the state, there are many small hills covered with dense natural population of different types of Kevatch. In Chhattisgarh you will find that many forest villages are named on Kevatch. According to the natives, the reasons behind these names are natural occurrence of this useful herbs around these villages. During my ethnobotinical surveys, I have visited many of such hills and villages known for Kevatch population. I have noted that the ecosystem of these hills are entirely different from nearby hills in terms of flora and fauna. Later I have got the reason. Kevatch is a strong Allelopathic plant. 

Common and popular names of Kevatch (Mucuna pruriens) around the world
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Arabic	Habilkulai
2) Bengal	Akolshi, Alkusa, Bichchoti, Kamach
3) Myanmar	Khuele, Khwele
4) Kanarese	Hasaguni, Kadavare, Markate, Nasukunni, Turashi
5) English	Cowage, Cowhage, Cowitch
6) French	Petit pois a gratter, Petit pois pouilleux
7) German	Kratzbohnen, Kuhkraetza
8) Gujarati	Kancha, Goncha, Kaunch, Kivach, Kawanch, Konch, Kuyach
9) Hindi	Gaunch, Goncha, Kaunch, Kevatch, Kivach, Konch
10) Malyalam	Naykkurna, Shorivalli, Shoriyanam
11) Mexico	Oje de venado
12) Nepal	Kaochir, Kouach
13) Persian	Anareghorash
14) Sanskrit	Adhyanda, Arshabhi, Atmagupta, Badari, Pusparsha, Guru, Kandura, Kapikachhu, Kapiprabha, Kashiroma, Markati, Rishabhi, Sugupta, Swagupta, Vyaghra, Vyanga
15) Sinhalese	Achariyapalle
16) Spanish	Picapica, Picapica menor
17) Tamil	Amudari, Arugratam, Kadigandu, Maguttam
18) Telugu	Dulagondi, Duradagondi, Pilliyadagu, Pravrishayani, Totadulagondi
19) Uriya	Alokushi, Baidhonko, Baikhujani, Kachu, Morkotomado
20) Urdu	Kavancha

The natural allelochemicals of Kevatch allow very few species to survive in "Kevatch Ecosystem". I personally feel that there is a strong need to study this unique ecosystem separately with much care. In this article, I am trying to disclose some hidden facts and information about this herb that I have gained from my surveys of different parts of Chhattisgarh, the Herbal state. The scientific name of Kevatch is Mucuna pruriens. In Sanskrit it is known as Kronch, Kapikachhu or Atmagupta. Kevatch holds a reputed position in Indian systems of medicine. Since centuries Indian herb experts are using Kevatch for the treatment of many common health problems. According to Ayurveda, root is useful in biliousness and indolent ulcers. Seeds are tonic and aphrodisiac and also useful in treatment of blood diseases. It is one of the most frequently used herbs in India. It is an integral part of over 100 popular drug mixtures in India. Recent studies have shown that Kevatch is a source of drug for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Natural chemical L-DOPA has been isolated from this herb. In Chhattisgarh, the natives are aware of medicinal properties of Kevatch. In available literatures, the uses of pods and seeds are mentioned and very little emphasis has been given on the roots.

In Chhattisgarh all parts are used as medicine. According to the traditional healers of the state, roots are most important part. I have collected the information on use of Kevatch in over 150 acute as well as chronic diseases. But mainly it is used as tonic and aphrodisiac. The traditional healers prepare a herbal juice using aqueous extract of Kevatch roots as main component. This herbal juice is a popular and well established aphrodisiac. The collection and extraction procedures are unique. The traditional healer visit to the Kevatch plant and inform him that he is coming next morning to harvest some parts of roots, (Please be prepare) and request him to increase the medicinal potential in it. After this short prayer, he apply juice of Kaua-Kaini and other plants on Kevatch root. Next morning, he dig and collect some part of roots (not the whole root) .The root is washed and dipped in well water for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the extraction is done. In the extract, the juice from other herbs are mixed and given to the patient to increase sexual desire and to increase longetivity of this desire. 

I have found the sole juice effective enough to perform its job. In many parts of Chhattisgarh the traditional healers advise the patient to put this dipped root (without extraction) inside the mouth during sexual intercourse in order to increase the duration. According to them as long the juice is going inside the stomach, there will be no ejaculation. Many traditional healers recommend to tight the freshly collected root around the waist, all time during day and night (up to forty days) in order to get permanent effect. They use red thread for this purpose. According to them the use of black thread can cause harm to the patients. I have seen and talked to the users of this unique herb for this purpose. In urban areas of Chhattisgarh in betlevine (Pan) shops, the special Pans for increasing sexual desire are common. The shopkeepers use the Kevatch root in this Pan. In order to maintain its secrecy, they use crushed or powdered roots. In this Pan, red velvet mite Trombidium is also used. Before going to other details, I want to explain the science of Kevatch collection. As you have read, the Traditional Healers apply the juice of herbs like Kaua-Kaini in Kevatch roots one day prior to collection of roots. In my laboratory studies, I have found these juice beneficial for the growth of Kevatch roots. These studies come under Allelopathy. Allelopathy is relatively a new branch of science.

With the help of Allelopathy, we can explain the effect of one species on different species. In nature, every species competes with nearby species for light, moisture and food (also for space). In this competition, they use some lethal chemicals, known as allelochemicals, as weapon. The species use this chemicals also to promote the growth of desired species in its surroundings. In my allelopathic studies, I have found the juice of Kaua-kaini also effective for germination and seedling vigour of Kevatch seeds. As the traditional healers are well aware of the fact that by injuring the roots they can damage or destruct the whole plant, they take full precaution. They apply the Kaua-Kaini juice to make the root (or plant) hardy and secondly only part of roots is use instead of whole rooting system. Whether the use of Kaua-Kaini juice increases the medicinal properties of roots or not ? it is a matter of scientific investigation. The Traditional Healer are also not aware of this fact. They are just doing this because their forefathers have instructed them to do it. These traditional knowledge and collection procedure with scientific interpretation have yet not been reported and explained. 

Botanical differences between two Mucuna species.
Characteristics	Mucura	Mucura
	pruriens	deeringiana
1) Habit	A herbaceous, twinting annual.	A herbaceous, pubescent, trailing or twining annual, upto 18 m or more in length
2) Leaf	Trifoliate, leaflets broadly ovate, elliptic or rhomboid ovate.	Trifoliate, leaflets ovate or rhomboid, 5-15 cm long.
3) Flower	Purple, in axillary pendulous racemes.	Purple.
4) Fruit	Curved, 4-6 seeded, longitudinally ribbed pod, densely clothed with persistent pale-brown or grey, irritant bristles.	Ridged, 3-5 seeded pod, densely covered with black pubescence, 5.0-7.5 cm long
5) Seed	Black, ovoid, 12 mm long.	Nearly globular, usually speckled, marbled brown or black, also pure grey or black not uncommon

I am thankful to Botanical dot com for providing me stage to disseminate this valuable knowledge among world communities. In order to hasten the process of delivery, the pregnant woman are advised by the Traditional Healers to inhale the fumes of dried roots. Like Chirchita root (Achyranthus aspera) it is also found useful in many cases. The Achyranthus roots are applied externally. In Chhattisgarh, young leaves and pods of Kevatch are eaten as vegetable. This is popular vegetable still in old generation. I have found that it is less popular in younger generation. The native eat it just for taste and flavour. They are not aware of its medicinal properties. According to the Traditional Healers of the state, over dose of these leaves as vegetable is harmful. They always instruct me "Please do not eat much". Possibly they are well aware of its harmful effects but they have never told me about this. On the basis of the seed colour many types of Kevatch are found naturally in different parts of Chhattisgarh. Broadly two types white and black seeded are well known. Black variety is reported as natural occurring and hairs on the pod cause itching and cause blisters and dermatitis. 

The white seeded type is free from the allergic pod hairs. It is under cultivation in home gardens and crop fields. This white seeded type is preferred for vegetable as compared to black seeded type in urban and semi-urban areas. In rural areas specially villages nearer to forest use black seeded type for vegetable. As far as medicinal properties are concerned, according to Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh, black seeded variety is more potential as compared to other types including white seeded types. From different parts of Chhattisgarh. I have collected ten different types of Kevatch seeds. I have written to National Beaureu of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India about my discovery. This biodiversity is unique and need proper attention. In the samples I have found much verification both in colour and shape. Now I am planning to evaluate the efficacy of different types with the help of Traditional Healers. In my laboratory, I am studying the growth patterns of these diverse types. I personally feel that there is a wide scope in this field and there is necessity to start thorough research but due to absence of such enthusiastic and devoted institutes, I am unable to do it alone. 

This the reason I am writing and expressing all of my findings and innovative ideas through these articles, so that after my departure from this world, the young and enthusiastic future generation can understand the treasure of their homeland, and can do a lot for the benefit of people around the world. In reference literatures, I have this botanical description about Kevatch. It is a herbaceous twining annual. Leaf - trifoliate, leaflets broadly ovate, elliptic or rhomboid ovate, Flower purple, in axillary pendulous racemes, Fruit - Curved, 4-6 seeded, longitudinally ribbed pod, densely clothed with persistent pale-brown or grey, irritant blisters. Seeds black, ovoid and about 12mm long. Kevatch seeds are collected and supplied to national and international market since decades. It is one of the important Non-wood forest produces from Chhattisgarh. According to the national buyers the Kevatch of Chhattisgarh holds a special demand and always it is sold in comparatively higher rates. The collectors at village level are not aware of this special demand and rates . This is the reason they are not getting good prices for valuable seeds. According to the lower level retailers at Dhamtari city, the black seeded type is in higher demand always. Since past four to five years, the demand of Kevatch seeds is in increasing trend. Some says that due to its increased use in new drug combinations the demand has gone up while other says that the discovery of L-DOPA (Useful in treatment of Parkinson’ disease) has increased its demand in many folds. 

This demand is creating a pressure on Chhattisgarh forest and the availability is decreasing with alarming rates. This increased demand has motivated the farmers particularly the young farmers of Chhattisgarh, to cultivate this crop commercially. As stated earlier, the black seeded type is troublesum because of pod hairs, the farmers are preferring white seeded type for commercial cultivation. The white seeded type is inferior in term of quality but superior in terms of production. Today over 1000 herb growers are cultivating commercially this herb in fairly large areas. With many herb growers, I am conducting many field level experiments in order to enhance the quality and production both. We have found that Kevatch grown with support yield more as compared to Kevatch grown without support. Chhattisgarh farmers are using indigenous trees like Babool (Acacia nilotica) for support. This unique use is saving the cost of support and space both. Babool is not harmful to Kevatch and vice-versa. We have promoting the organic farming of herbs. Many herb growers using lethal agrochemicals are getting poor prices for their produce. According to the buyers, the use of agrochemical deteriorate the quality and there is no demand of this produce in international market. 

From seed treatment to pest management, the Chhattisgarh farmers have developed many organic alternatives. You will find details of these practices in my next articles. For Traditional Healers, collection of seeds from back seeded type is not a big problem. According to them in nature the solution of every problem is present. The only thing needed is to observe and find these solutions patiently. The Traditional Healer of Nagri-Sihawa region where hills having "Kevatch ecosystem" are in abundance told me that the plants present in this ecosystem are the solution for this big trouble. He has listed many plants that can be used for this purpose. Few minutes after chewing these plant leaves, body get resistance (?) toward itching caused by pod hairs. Mamira is one of these plants. Mamira is found abundantly in Kevatch hills. According to Traditional Healer, this a gift of nature to us. I have experienced the miracle effect of Mamira (Coptis teeta). In many parts of Chhattisgarh, Bhang is taken in order to reduce the allergic reaction of pod hairs. 

The Traditional Healers of Chhattisgarh plains wait till maturity of pods for the collection of seeds. After maturity they put fire on whole plant. After quick burning the seeds are collected. According to them burning can not affect the medicinal properties. But the practice they are adopting is not a scientific method. This destructive harvesting can cause total eradication of plants from that area, as forest fire can damage both new plant and other valuable species. The local retailers are well aware of this burning process. They adopt this practice for cheating. As started earlier, the black seeded type fetch more price than the white seeded type, the corrupt retailers put fire on white seeded type and after burning no one can differentiate white seeded type from black seeded one. This false seeds are sold at the price of black seeded type Kevatch. In Chhattisgarh, there is no advanced laboratory for the analysis of herbal produce. This is the reason the retailers are cheating the national buyers. With the help of standard chemical analysis one can clearly differentiate both of these types. The use of herbs in order to prevent the itching allergy have not been yet reported. Not much work has been done on this aspect. This is one more area where there is a scope for research. Thank you very much for reading this long article patiently. I am getting positive responses all over the world regarding these articles. I am fortunate that nature has given me this opportunity to work as bridge between world community and the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, the Herbal state.